High-power multiple-stripe injection lasers with channel guides

A new type of injection laser, the channel-guide (CG) structure, has been developed for use in multiple-stripe laser configurations. Leaky-mode operation of single-stripe CG lasers has been observed, and these devices produce "kink-free" outputs to pulsed powers of 180 mW (40 ns). Ten-stripe lasers fabricated using the channel-guide structure show strong leaky-mode coupling between stripes. Linear outputs to 2.8 W (40 ns) with stable far fields have been measured. Our results indicate that a real index antiguide is formed by the crowding of carriers into the channel region. The simple fabrication procedure makes the CG structure desirable for use in multiple-stripe high-power lasers.